Greg Odom is chairing and Dede Zupanci will be one of the speakers at the Sept. 7 IDC-sponsored seminar “A Guide to Retaining and Working with Expert Witnesses.” The program is being held at the ISBA Mutual office in Chicago (20 South Clark Street).

Although the seminar is aimed at attorneys who are new to the processes of retaining experts and producing experts for deposition or trial testimony, it will also be helpful for veteran attorneys who want to learn new methods and strategies for retaining experts and ensuring they are ready to testify. Topics will include finding the right expert, discovering practical tips for and avoiding the pitfalls of working with experts, and seeing the whole process from the expert’s perspective.

Odom, a partner in the firm’s Edwardsville office, has been responsible for planning the seminar. He is Chair of the Events Committee for IDC (Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel). Zupanci, also a partner in the firm’s Edwardsville office, will address issues to consider when working with experts, including communications and information-sharing. She also will examine how the Illinois and Federal Rules of Civil Procedure impact and govern communications with and disclosures of experts.